How a first-time producer became a top performer with FarmOnline+
When Greg Turnbow walked away from his career in the automotive collision industry, he had no intention of becoming a poultry producer - let alone one outperforming the U.S. average within his first year. But life in the countryside in Urbana, Missouri, took a new turn, and together with two partners, he founded West Branch Farms, LLC, a fully organic, free‑range egg operation.
What Greg lacked in poultry experience, he made up for in mindset: he wanted to build a farm driven by technology, insights, and precision. That desire led him to SKOV.
“We were on unknown ground. But working with the guys from SKOV USA and the solutions they brought… it was a total package. Nobody else offered that.”
Greg’s first house - stocked with 50,000 hens - became the foundation of a new chapter. And from day one, FarmOnline+ became the digital nerve center, quietly operating behind the scenes.
A farm that runs smoothly - even when no one is there
One of the first things Greg realized was how much freedom the right technology could give a small operation. With only three employees, West Branch Farms had no margin for error. Being physically present 24/7 simply wasn’t an option. Now, FarmOnline+ takes care of that.
Most evenings now follow a rhythm: Greg sits down at home, opens the FarmOnline+ app, available for iOS and Android, and instantly knows how his birds are doing - temperature, ventilation, feed, water, the works.
“I can sit on my couch in the evening and make sure my birds are doing what they’re supposed to. The peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.”
That peace of mind proved crucial when one of the drinking lines came apart. Instead of discovering it hours later, Greg saw something alarming: water consumption was skyrocketing in real time. The problem was obvious. The solution was immediate. A potentially expensive disaster was avoided - simply because FarmOnline+ was watching the barn when no one else was.
Turning data into better bird behavior
As the daily routines settled in, Greg began noticing that even small insights could lead to big improvements. One early challenge came from flock behavior. Whenever the feed system started, stronger birds rushed to the front of the feed lines while others were pushed aside. Despite lines running the full length of the barn, every bird wanted the first bite.
But FarmOnline+ didn’t just show when birds ate - it revealed how they behaved. With that knowledge, Greg adjusted the feeding strategy to more frequent feedings spread throughout the day. What happened next surprised him.
“It really spread them out throughout the barn instead of having birds crammed at the front. It changed everything.”
The flock was calmer, the competition dropped, and the overall uniformity improved - all from one data‑driven decision.
Easy documentation process
As an American egg producer, Greg must document everything: ammonia levels, minimum ventilation, water use, feed consumption, temperature - daily and weekly, without compromise.
Before the farm was built, this requirement seemed daunting. But the reality?
"The controller makes it extremely easy to pull the information."
What used to be paperwork became a single tap. What used to steal time now saves it. He now pulls all the information out of the controller - all served and ready to be processed.
Raising the performance bar - far above U.S. average
Perhaps the most remarkable part of West Branch Farms' journey is how quickly performance accelerated. The U.S. industry average lay rate sits around 82.5%. West Branch Farms reached 90% almost immediately - without even hitting their peak yet. Greg expects 94-95% in full production, numbers typically associated with top-tier, highly experienced producers, and he is not alone.
"Honestly... all of the producers I know who went with SKOV are running at least 90%+ lay rate per hen. That in itself would tenfold the extra investment."
For a first-time producer, this is more than impressive. This is indicative of the layer industry taking off to unprecedented levels.
Greg Turnbow's 20 BF 50 fans.
A future built on technology
With success firmly established, Greg is already planning to expand with another layer barn in 2026 and grow his team. And the technological foundation? That won’t change.
"We prefer to use all the tools available - and this is a tool we love having."
From a newcomer on “unknown ground” to a high‑performing organic producer, Greg Turnbow’s journey shows what happens when reliable ventilation meets powerful digital farm management.
"Our experience with SKOV has been excellent. From the start to the present day, we have had minimal issues. We love all of the products, FarmOnline+, the fans...We are happy with everything they have provided, and everything works as they said it would. For us, it is a no-brainer. It is very important to us, our daily business, and keeping our birds in good air quality. Everything they have works just the way it should, and we could not be happier with the product that we purchased."
FarmOnline+ did not just help him run his farm. It helped him build it. FarmOnline+ is the foundation of how his farm operates - efficiently, profitably, and with confidence.